lost 5th and reverse gears

[littleyellowone]

Hi, Hoping someone has an idea as to whats wrong. Driving normally through local traffic today to find my 1st and 3rd gears had shifted lower so i dont have to move the gear stick far and its in gear and i have totally lost 5th and reverse gear. Anyone had a similar problem/ any ideas what it is??
Totally gutted

[DJ111S]

I'd guess the linkage has shifted. I think you'll be able to lift out the centre plastic console and see if it's at that end, if not you'll need to try and look under the bonnet, easier from underneath I'd have thought.

[Jimbo S2]

Wopuld put money on the linkage needing sorting, not as bad as it sounds, as previously said its either at the engine/gearbox end or at the gearstick end that the problem is.

Jimbo

[littleyellowone]

Cheers,will look at it over the weekend and let you know if your money is on a safe bet!!!

[cuzza]

Could be the red hose problem if it's an S1 I think that affected reverse and fifth? Does the problem go away when the car cools down?

If it's a fairly early one, check under the bonnet and see if there is a red plastic hose going form the bottom of the clutch master cylinder - IIRC it's on the drivers side of the bulkhead.

>> Edited by cuzza on Thursday 15th December 09:53

[enjybenjy]

My other half's s1 does this, 5th and reverse, when warm. fine when cold. What's this red pipe business? Her's is a 98 S1.
Is it that the pipe gets blocked or what?

[cuzza]

On the earlier cars Lotus used a rubber hose (which is red) for the clutch, when the car gets hot, the rubber softens and the hose can expand, this can result in loss of some gears. The fix is to use a braided hose.

I'll see if I can find a pic.....

Edit> which I can't Basically it'sthe hose that sticks out of the master cylinder - if it's not braided, it could be a problem.

>> Edited by cuzza on Thursday 15th December 11:41

[enjybenjy]

OK thanks Cuzza. I'll have a look later...

[littleyellowone]

FYI it was the linkage. The Bracket had snapped. Sinclairs sorted it and took opp to stick some new bridgestones on. Picked it up today and it feels gooooooooood!!!!

[S Works]

Sorted - nice one.